The Football Association of Ireland has confirmed the appointment of Carla Ward as the new Head Coach of the Ireland Women’s National Team (WNT).

The former Sheffield United, Birmingham City and Aston Villa Manager will lead the WNT through to the end of the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign.

Ward will take over the WNT with immediate effect ahead of the 2025 UEFA Nations League starting in February with a home game against Türkiye in Tallaght Stadium on Friday, February 21.

A former professional player, Ward has been coaching since 2017 and is currently working towards completing the UEFA Pro Licence. She was part of the staff with the United States Women’s National Team as they won Gold at the 2024 Olympic Games.

Following her appointment, Carla Ward said: “I’m hugely excited to get going with the Ireland Women’s National Team. This is an unbelievable opportunity, not just with the National Team but in helping to add to the fantastic work being done to develop women and girls’ football. 

“Over the next two and a half years, as we build towards the World Cup, we can make a real difference and I’m looking forward to getting started.”

FAI Chief Football Officer Marc Canham said: “We are thrilled to announce a Head Coach of Carla’s pedigree. To be able to secure such a top quality coach is a statement of our ambition for where our Women’s National Team can go.

“We are delighted to secure someone who brings the passion, commitment and skillset that we set out to find in the recruitment process. Carla’s experience as a coach, aligned with her ability to bring the best out in those around her, marked her out as our number one candidate and we are confident that she will be a brilliant appointment.

“This is an important time for the development of women & girls’ football in Ireland, so having Carla play a leading role in that is hugely significant and we are excited to see what our Women’s National Team can achieve with her.”

FAI CEO David Courell said: “This is a fantastic day for Irish football as we welcome Carla as the new Head Coach of our Women’s National Team. We selected Carla as she possesses the perfect blend of expertise and experience to deliver on our ambition to qualify for major tournaments, competing against the best teams in the world and continuing to grow support for the women’s game in Ireland. I am hugely excited to support Carla and the team on their journey. 

“Finally, I would like to thank my fellow members of the recruitment panel, Paul Cooke, Packie Bonner, Laura Finnegan, Marc Canham and Aoife Rafferty who helped to oversee a very professional process that resulted in appointing the best candidate to drive this team forward.”

FAI President Paul Cooke said: “On behalf of the Football Association of Ireland, I’d like to welcome Carla and wish her the very best in leading our Women’s National Team.”

Tony Keohane, Chair of the FAI Board, said: “The Board of the FAI are excited by Carla’s appointment as we feel that she can help to continue the excellent progress made by our Women’s National Team in recent years. We look forward to supporting Carla and the team.”

Ward will be supported by Alan Mahon (Assistant Coach) and Emma Byrne (Goalkeeping Coach). Mahon is a former Ireland international who spent over 10 years as Assistant Manager with the Manchester City Women’s Team, while Byrne – the team’s record appearance holder – returns to the coaching set-up.

The new Head Coach will be formally unveiled at an official press conference in the Aviva Stadium on Thursday afternoon.